Bowman radio system to be updated again as Morpheus upgrade remains delayed

The UK Government is set to update the military's tactical radio after the current system's replacement programme was delayed.

In a written parliamentary question, John Healey, Labour's Shadow Defence Secretary, asked whether the Ministry of Defence's (MOD) procurement department planned to update the radio system.

It comes following delays to the Morpheus programme, which is Bowman's replacement.

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In response, James Cartlidge, the Minister for Defence Procurement, said Bowman was a "capable system having been upgraded several times" - including most recently between 2018 and 2020.

"It will be updated again under the Bowman 5.7 project (commissioned last year as a result of the delay to Morpheus)," he said.

"Bowman's Out of Service Date was 2026 and this has now been extended out to no later than 2035, and no earlier than 2031, to bridge the capability gap until Morpheus delivers."

In August last year, it was reported the MOD remained "committed" to the delayed battlefield communications system Morpheus.

This was despite warnings it could become the military's "next procurement disaster".

The £330m Morpheus programme, designed by US-based General Dynamics, was supposed to be operational by 2025.

The military did, however, recieve a boost to their communication systems last year after an £89 million contract to enhance tactical military communications was announced.

As a result of the deal, soldiers got access to highly secure and state-of-the-art internet capability on the battlefield.